Oh What a Week!

Elder Quiroz and Elder Grant

Oh it has been quite a week this week! And it was freaking great. Super spiritual! So my compo and I, over the past few weeks, have been almost dying because of the general authority that came. He has a reputation of ripping your face off then leaving you for dead with his beastliness of the spirit. So my comp and I were going to die because we had to report the stats of the zone in front of him. We were almost at the point of crying because we were terrified. 

Then we had to arrange all the seats for the picture the day of the conference and even Presidente Ruiz was to the point of dying. So we all got in a huge thing for a picture when President Armado came in and the first thing he did was make a joke. Then he asked us to make a line and he asked our name, where we are from, and how much time we have left. It was really cool because he was so awesome. He made jokes about potatoes with me and then gave me a huge hug. It was probably one of the coolest things ever. 

Then we had the meeting and instead of him teaching and preaching, he taught us according to the Spirit and all of us came out of that meeting feeling better and happier than ever. The Spirit taught us things that weren't spoken. It is definitely one of my favorite parts of my mission. And WOW!!! 

Bowing to the Dew and Pepper

Well, in other great news, Mountain Dew and Dr. Pepper have made it to the grocery store. And it is at a cheap price - less than a dollar. It is so nice! My comp and I bought a ton and we are now making a Christmas tree out of the empty cans. Also, Elder Quiroz already has a Christmas tree. And, we found a Christmas tree under our stairs so now we are going to have three Christmas trees! So basically, we have the coolest house ever! And it is really really really clean. That is a nice touch. President Amado told us that our houses need to be clean in order to have the Spirit. And at the end it was basically just like we could feel the spirit more in a clean house. 

Another big thing that happened this week was definitely the Stake Conference of all the Stakes in the whole Guatemalan land. President Falabella spoke and it was about getting educated and it was awesome! Then Mary Ann Wixom had so cool Primary talk and then Elder Scott, whose Spanish is amazing, talked and that was really cool. Then President Eyring talked but not in Spanish because he doesn't know it. It was just super spiritual and we we're able to bring three investigators who all loved it. 

That's about all I got this eek. I love you all tons. Take care and ya know ... if you wanna, send candy to me. I'll never complain. Haha

Con amor,

Elder Grant

Elder Quiroz and his Coca Cola

I'm Pretty Darn Content to Be Here

As I am sitting in the Guatemalan heat writing you from a yucky internet place, I contemplate if there is anywhere I'd rather be in the world and NOPE, I'm pretty darn content to be here! 

I just saw Hermana Ostler today. She was so excited to see me and at first I had no idea who she was. But it's alright, that is how life is. She is in Coatepeque which is kind of far away from where I am. In fact, I never ever go there. In fact, I have never been there. 

Today is super super super super busy because I have to get EVERYTHING READY FOR A MEETING WITH PRESIDENT AMADO. I AM FREAKING OUT!!! No, just kidding. He is going to destroy us with the Spirit. It's going to be so cool. Well, this week has been challenging in a few things. We almost didn't have a baptism because of lack of planning. But after hours, literally, of calling people and talking with lawyers, we got it done. Basically, it has been a very stess filled week. My companion and I have been running all over the place. 

Also this week we have put two fechas so in two weeks, if all goes well, we should have 2 baptisms. I'm excited! The lady is so cool. She used to be anti-Mormon but The Lord softened her heart and now she is changing so much. And, it is so cool to see how committed she is to change. She even had a visit this Sunday. When her visit came she told them to wait for her three hours because she was going to church. And, BAM, she went to church. How cool is that!!!! 

Well, I gotta go. I love you all tons!

Con amor,

Elder Grant

FYI - I am on Rabies Watch

So this week has been quite an adventure. Boy, oh boy! The week started out great and on Wednesday I got bit by a freaking dog, all because I was acting like Kung Fu Panda. Of course, the dog hasn't been vaccinated for rabies. The mission nurses freaked out but I'm okay. They are still watching me for signs of rabies, however. That was a really fun experience.

We also got to take a bunch of pictures today in classic Guatemalan clothes. That was really fun. Then I had to go to a meeting and so I lost some of my p-day. Oh well, that's life! 

This week has been good. We have found some really good people and in church we had a great number - 182! That is super bomb!!! We are just breaking records but now we need to break records with baptisms. We are still working hard to motivate and encourage the zone. It is still a little sluggish. 

If possible, can you send the game Rook and Pit for Christmas? My companion would really like one as a gift and I want Pit! jajaja

Thanks, everyone, for being so awesome! Love ya tons!!

Con amor,

Elder Grant

I Have Never Been Happier in My Life Than I Am Right Now

Hey everyone! how are you all? I'm doing great! The emergency changes went quite well. In fact, they went great! Kinda at first I was really mad because it meant that I wasn't going to be able to go the temple but I got to go. In fact, I rode up to Quetz with President and it was really fun. Plus it is always such a rad experience to get to go to the temple. I always look forward to it because I learn great things from it. After that, I came to my area and it looks possible that I'm going to the temple this month again to see a family get sealed that my companion baptized and in December I get to go again to see another family that I baptized get sealed!!! It is soooo freaking cool!!!!!! 

Elder Grant with President and Sister Ruiz

Elder Grant at the Quetzeltenango Temple

While I was at the temple I had the opportunity to sit in the Sealing Room after my session and just think about the divine plan that God has created for us - that he gives us all families and has a plan for every single one of those families to be eternal. It was wonderful to just sit and think about that. 

Well about the changes ... I got moved back to the Zone Las Palmas and it is pretty great! I'm a Zone Leader now with Elder Quiroz which is great because he was my Zone Leader before, in this same zone, and I'm going to "kill him" (an expression meaning he goes home with the next changes). He's my dad and I'm his murderer. Wahoo!!  Being a zl is definitely a new experience. I have a cell phone and I have to talk to President aveces. Also, I'm very nervous because Elder Carlos H Amado is coming to our zone and I have to get everything ready for the conference. By the way, he is a Seventy. I'm freaking out a little bit. Like you said, Mom, The Lord puts us in places so we learn and that's what I'm doing right now. That is the word about changes.

He loves this Guatemala land.

The rat that he killed. Note from mom: "Disgusting!"

Our zone seems a bit beat up right now maybe because they have all been here forever. I mean, my child, Elder Saunders, is still here! That's a long time. It is his 4th change here. Woww! I was so excited to see him. I hope that I can help them realize that this is the best work of all time. Honestly, I have never been happier in my life than I am right now. Sure, I have had incredibly enjoyable moments before and I miss you all a ton, but just being in the pure service of our God make everything super cool! I just love being missionary!!

Here is what else I have done. We had a baptism which was really fun and we colored the water blue instead of green. It looks like we are going to be out of time but I just want to ask those who are sealed in the temple to send me how they felt when they got sealed to their husband/wife. It could really help me with a few families that we are teaching. 

Baptism in Mazetenango with Elder Pichardo

Baptism in Las Palmas with Elder Quiroz

Oh, I forgot to tell you all that it was The Day of the Dead and we ate fiambre or sea meat salad smothered in beat juice. It was definitely interesting and tasty. It filled me up so much and I'm really glad it's only a one day a year thing. 

Fiambre or Sea Meat Salad - "Interesting"

Elder Quiroz and Elder Grant about to eat their Fiambre

Con amor,

Elder Grant